Pet Sematary’s Miko Hughes: Where the Heart Is

Published November 21, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Eclectic actor Miko Hughes grew up in the public eye with roles in such high profile projects as Pet Sematary, Kindergarten Cop, Wes Craven’s New Nightmare, Spawn and Mercury Rising (to name just a few). Weathering the rough road to a career as an adult performer, Hughes has recently (and effectively) essayed roles in such projects as 2006 comedy Surf School and the fright infused Remains. At a con this past summer, celebrating Pet Sematary’s upcoming 25th anniversary, the extremely amiable Hughes took a moment to chat with Big Gay Horror Fan about the loyalty of terror fans and what the future contains for him.

Big Gay Horror Fan: Let’s start things off by talking about some more contemporary terror stuff that you’ve done. What was it like working on Remains?

Miko in Remains

Miko Hughes: Remains was fun. It was on Chiller a couple years ago. It seemed to do pretty well. They were a great crew out there. They were really good people. I’ve kind of been working a bit with them lately. It was kind of nice to do some horror, again, when I was a bit older.

BGHF: So, what was the transition like for you, going from child actor to adult performer? There are so many tragedies that occur during that crossover – currently it’s Lindsay Lohan and Amanda Bynes who are always in the news…

Miko: They are so gifted and beautiful, too.

BGHF: Totally!

Miko: It’s such a shame. Yeah, I don’t know what that is. I think it is really difficult to have so much attention, being treated such a different way from such a young age. It’s really difficult to navigate. I am just as susceptible to it. I’ve had my fair share of drama and issues. I like to think I am navigating it as well as possible.

BGHF: (Laughing) Hell, just the day to day life is tough: getting up, brushing your teeth, wiping your ass…let alone with everyone watching you do it!

Miko: (Laughs) Yeah. Everybody’s got a struggle – no matter what the perspective is. But, I like where I am at. I am constantly trying to improve – in whatever the endeavor is – and, yeah, I am happy with the way things are going.

Hughes and Fred Gwynne: Pet Sematary

BGHF: Good! Is horror something that you are naturally drawn to – or is that just what you are best known for (in certain circles)?

Miko: I enjoy horror. I have always enjoyed filming them. But I enjoy filming, in general. I enjoy working. I have done other movies that weren’t horror that were equally large – but horror has a fan base. Horror has a following. There aren’t conventions for comedy shows – even though everybody loves comedy. So, there is a subculture with this genre – along with Sci Fi and whatever else – and the fans are loyal. It’s nice that I get to come out to these and meet them in person, have a little vacation.

BGHF: I’ve witnessed you receiving a lot of love, here. Is it overwhelming for you?

Miko: It’s surreal. California is so saturated with actors that people don’t think much of it. It seems that the further East you go, it’s more of a novelty. So, there is that larger reaction. It’s kind of fun. I actually enjoy the balance of being able to be by myself, just chill and be anonymous when I am at home. Then, I get to come to these and feel like somebody. It’s nice and I think it is probably a good balance, too. It probably wouldn’t be good for my ego if it happened all the time.

BGHF: Those pitfalls you were talking about earlier?

Miko: Yeah. When people treat you a certain way, it’s almost like they set you up to treat them a certain way. Sometimes, here, it is hard to get people to talk to you as a person. So, I have to be like — “Hey, you don’t need to be nervous. What’s up? What brought you to the con?”

BGHF: And of course, here, people are gravitating toward Pet Semetary. Is there some project you’ve done that you’ve thought was unjustly ignored or didn’t get the attention that is should have?

Miko in New Nightmare

Miko: I think, as far as horror goes, New Nightmare was a critical success at the time that it came out. But, for whatever reason, the marketing or what have you; it really didn’t get a lot of play. So, at the time, it wasn’t as recognized. But, as time has passed, the fans really seem to think that it is one of the better ones in the series. (Laughs) At least, I gather that from what I have heard. I may be getting an uneven representation of that because they are coming to talk with me – and probably aren’t going tell me something horrible.

BGHF: (Laughs) Though, I’m sure you’ve heard plenty!

Miko: (Laughs, as well) The funny one I always get is “Oh, you were so cute!” Then, they’ll catch themselves and quickly go “But, you’re still cute, now!” I’m always like, I know what you meant!

BGHF: (Laughing) But, excuse me as I reach for this razor blade and swallow these pills!

Miko: (Laughing along) Yeah, yeah! Because of what you just said…! That was it!

BGHF: So, is there anything going on now that you’d like to talk about?

Miko’s directorial debut – Chilling.

Miko: Yeah, yeah! I am doing a few small things. I DJ and I do some promoting for some clubs in Los Angeles. It’s slowly growing. And – I have some more acting work potentially on the table that I am looking forward to. There is nothing finalized, but I am hopefully looking forward to that.

BGHF: That’s great. It’s a notoriously tough business.

Miko: Completely! It can break you!

BGHF: So, do you have game plan beyond this? Is there something else you have a passion for?

Miko: You know – I grew up in this, so I feel like it’s all I really know. So, regardless of what it is, I will probably be working in this industry my whole life. It’s where my heart is.

(Most recently, Hughes directed a segment of the horror anthology Chilling Visions: 5 Senses of Fear.)

Hughes and Big Gay Horror Fan!

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan

Rockin’ The House by the Cemetery with Hotlips Messiah!

Published November 21, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Usually, as I attempt to clone an American version of Italian terror goddess Dagmar Lassander, the only soundtrack I have to work to is the hiss of frazzled bolts of lightning and the scorched sighs of my rapidly frying equipment.

Luckily, kick-ass punkers Hotlips Messiah have just released a fantabulous single based on Fulci’s House by the Cemetery, the gruesomely fun flick in which Lassander plays doomed real estate agent, Laura Gittleson.

The single is, appropriately, titled House by the Cemetery and it is loads of loud, fan-loving fun! Best of all – it is free to listen to and can be owned, completely and totally, for only a $1.

Be sure to check it out at http://hotlipsmessiah666.bandcamp.com/track/house-by-the-cemetery

And – Until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan

Popcorn Horror’s Universal Monsters Re-Design Contest!

Published November 20, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Holy James Whale, this is cool!

Popcorn Horror is holding a Universal Monsters Re-Design Competition wherein you can reimagine (for example) the Frankenstein Monster as an army of killer ants – and win $500 and cool prizes!

Unfortunately, PH is only taking submissions until December 5th, 2013. So, what are you crazy artists types waiting for? Click the link below (or face the wrath of Dwight E. Frye)!!!

http://popcornhorror.com/category/comps/

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan

Music to Make Horror Movies By: Anthony Perkins, “On a Rainy Afternoon”

Published November 17, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Chocolate syrup on your hot dog, that three-way with the kleptomaniac butcher and the serial killer (whom doubled as a mid-wife for zoo wolves)…these are things that you just don’t want to try a second time.

Well, that is the way horror treasure Anthony Perkins should have felt after his 1958 full length album On a Rainy Afternoon. Me, sing? Never again!!! Unless it’s as a maniacally obsessed preacher under the direction of Ken Russell, that is. (1984’s Crimes of Passion, yo!)

Recorded in 1958, two years before his life was irrevocably linked with Psycho and Norman Bates, On a Rainy Afternoon finds Perkins warbling on such well established tunes like Miss Otis Regrets, I Remember You and Why Was I Born? Unlike many film stars, who choose to back their meek musical stylings with lush, full blown orchestral arrangements, our honorable Anthony wisely places himself in front of a nimble, fully realized jazz sextet here.

Unfortunately, producer Fred Reynolds allows Perkins to strain, often, for notes his pleasant yet weak voice simply cannot reach. Modern listeners, as well, will find it hard to divorce themselves from the fact that this is everyone’s favorite Hitchockian psychopath gamely syncopating on the tunes of Cole Porter, Lorenz Hart and Jerome Kern. Perkins’ tone is that distinctive.

Witness:

Ah, well. (A voice only a mother could love, I guess.)

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan

Review: The Trouble with Barry

Published November 15, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Sometimes I wonder how I would have turned out if I hadn’t been kidnapped as a toddler and eventually raised by a group of psychotic prostitute lesbian nuns. Why, I might even like romantic comedies, now, which truly would be a horror.

In tandem, egotistical, drug addled, former child star Barry begins to wonder if maybe his upbringing might have something to do with the unparalleled mess that qualifies as his current life in the fun, upcoming horror-comedy The Trouble with Barry. Forced to crash with an old boyfriend, Barry takes a supporting role in a fledgling web-series to stay in the public’s eye and, hopeful, revive his career. But someone keeps murdering Barry’s co-stars and when he isn’t too busy being considered a suspect, Barry may find that he is next on the heinous killer’s list.

Directed by Mike Justice and Stephan Kitaen, who also co-scripted with Sean Singletary, Barry is a ravenously fun look at the desperate, self centered personalities that populate Hollywood. Terror lovers should especially appreciate the trio’s take on Asia Argento and an appearance from scream queen legends Brinke Stevens, Linnea Quigley and Michelle Bauer is a welcome treat, as well. The trio looks fabulous and they deliver their enjoyable dialogue with aplomb! Further ghoulish points are gained by the presence of terror icon Lynn Lowry as Barry’s notoriously nasty mother. Lowry delivers with multi-leveled delight, bringing all her (award winning) stage skills to the fore. She is truly a force of nature, here, proving, once and for all, that she is one of the classic buried treasures of the entertainment industry, as whole.

As for Barry, himself, Peter Stickles (well known for his romps in such creep-tastic projects as Cemetery Gates, The Lair and Evil Bong 3D) provides an enthusiastic, acidically humorous insight into the world of such tragic teen figures as Leif Garrett and Corey Haim. Stickles is most impressive, though, when he lets a little sensitivity shine through as Barry, confusedly, begins to feel affection for the director of his web-series (nicely played by Eric Dean).

In fact, while this project is full of sharp one-liners and classic gags (including a brilliant sequence wherein a militant feminist presents ultra-gay Barry with a poem entitled “Pussy”) throughout its running time, it could have benefited from just a tiny bit more of the closing act identification provided by Stickles. The well drawn characters are such thoroughly harsh indictments of Los Angeles style solipsism that they are hard to connect with on a compassionate level.

Still, that is a small criticism for such a professionally accomplished and creative project (and one that, also, contains a brilliant kill scene, taking place in a gym’s lobby).

To find more about this truly inventive project, be sure to check out:

https://www.facebook.com/BarryTheMovie

And until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan

Brinke Stevens in Silicon Assassin!

Published November 14, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Stevens with Assassin co-star Richard Hatch!

The last thing I would ever claim to be was authoritative. Bold – maybe. Pinkly optimist – perhaps! But the take charge type –never!!

Thankfully, for those who travel down the tracts of terror, lovely scream goddess Brinke Stevens (Slumber Party Massacre, Mother, Body Double and plenty of classic 90s Blockbuster style epics) has no such problem. She is, grandly and realistically, playing the President of the United States, President Medusa, in the fun and frisky web series Silicon Assassin.

H-m-m…Stevens for President. Now, that is something all parties could agree on!

Be sure to inaugurate yourself with this amazing project at:

http://www.youtube.com/user/SiliconAssassinLLC

And until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan

Gay Shit in Horror: Terror at Baxter U!

Published November 13, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Erik Hill (Chet) and Bill Vincent (Moxie). Terror at Baxter U’s happiest couple?

My kindergarten teacher sure was surprised when she walked in the girls’ room at recess and discovered that I was the one who was sacrificing all those classroom kittens to the Goddesses of Methodical Crayon Worship! (See what being raised by a delirious coven of lesbian prostitute nuns will do for you!)

Likewise, viewers of 2003 zero budget schlock piece Terror at Baxter U were probably just as surprised at this film’s truly interesting climax.

Painted as the piece’s doddering hero, Bill Vincent’s Professor Moxie seemingly expires while racing off to stop the chupacabra monster that has been slaughtering countless students. As his mournful charges carry on, eventually killing the faculty member they believe is responsible for unleashing the beast, a half naked Moxie re-emerges with the chivalrous group’s loud mouthed faction, Chet (Erik F. Hill), on his arm.

“There’s gold in them there hills, no??”

It soon becomes clear that, despite the 40 year age difference, something special is going on between Moxie, who reveals he is the mastermind behind the hungry creature’s escape, and Chet – especially as the younger man leans down to lick the older man’s nipple. This occurrence is so out-of-left field, though, that repeated viewings may be necessary to determine that you have just actually seen what you thought you saw.

Already over-the-top and strangely bad-enjoyable, this queer twist only adds to the film’s very unusual appeal.

Because one good nipple shot deserves another!

So, until the next time, be sure to practice naked joy with all your devious mentors — and, as always, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan

Sucking on Mother’s Milk!

Published November 12, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

The coolest vampires on the block know that they can’t survive by hemophilic virgin blood alone – they must have some maternal sustenance, as well.

Extraordinary femme filmmaking duo, Beatrice Hunter and Kacie Stetson, know this to be true, as well. Their outline for a gruesomely awesome horror flick called Mother’s Milk is one of the top contenders in New Zealand’s Make My Horror Movie contest. Awesome! Right??!!??

So, if you want their story about a female archeologist who unleashes a vile illness, while investigating the graves of ancient missionaries, to get made – please check out their page and LIKE this project at the link, below.

http://www.makemymovie.co.nz/2013/finalist/mothers-milk/

So – keep wishing for more powerful women behind the cinematic lenses of terror – and until the next time, SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan

The Backside of Horror: Carl Crew, Blood Diner (1987)

Published November 12, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Delightfully zany Carl Crew as George in “Blood Diner”

Let’s face it, half the fun of horror and exploitation is seeing some hot bodies frolicking around in the buff. And while I worship the female form, I believe exploitation definitely veers into the exploitive when only gorgeous women are on display while their male counterparts remain chastely buttoned up. Therefore, The Backside of Horror salutes the filmmakers and actors whom even up the score a bit by gracing us with instances of hot and juicy male flesh in their bloody celluloid fantasies.

Herschell Gordon Lewis may not rule the world (which really is a pity) but — his classic 60s grue-piece Blood Feast was most definitely the inspiration for gonzo director Jackie Kong’s Blood Diner in 1987.

This tale of two demented brothers, played by Rich Burks and Carl Crew, determined to carry out their long deceased uncle’s murderous plans, contains plenty of limb chomping, flesh thirsty Egyptian Goddess craziness.

As the guys hack their way through a steady stream of bad girls as ultimate sacrifices, Kong provides the viewers with wall to-wall boobs of plenty!

Crew’s best ASSets!

Thankfully, she gives silicone workers everywhere a bit of a break with a comic moment, towards the film’s final act, when Crew’s frenzied George flashes his butt at an exotic police detective, on a dinner break, in her car!

Viva la (mummified) man flesh, everyone!!!

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan!

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan

Music to Make Horror Movies By: Guitar Goddess Lita Ford!

Published November 10, 2013 by biggayhorrorfan

Deadly spider on my wall, how did you get on the cover of the magnificent Lita Ford’s 1984 LP Dancin’ on the Edge? Perhaps, Professor Arachnida was trying to illustrate the correlation between rock ‘n’ roll and horror. Indeed, this slamming effort from our favorite goddess of leather-graced thrashing is inundated with titles such as Dressed to Kill and Lady Killer.

Ford, whose 1988 Lita is a must hear pop masterpiece, entered further reaches of darkness with her biggest hit, Close My Eyes Forever, a duet with Ozzy Osbourne. Indeed, with lyrics stating “Like a dagger, you stick me in the heart and taste the blood from my blade. And when we sleep, would you shelter me in your warm and darkened grave?” this song is a commandingly hardcore look at velvet terror.

Ford, whose scare credibility is further enhanced by a saucy appearance in 1991 horror-comedy Highway to Hell, will be appearing the weekend of November 15th, 2013 at the Chicago faction of the Days of the Dead convention. http://www.daysofthedead.net/chicago/.

Sounds like a perfect time to get out your guitar string codpieces and head on Back to the Cave, no?

Until the next time – SWEET love and pink GRUE, Big Gay Horror Fan

http://www.facebook.com/biggayhorrorfan